PASTORAL MESSAGES

From Pastor Eric’s Study

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil”

– Matthew 4:1-

We are once again about to enter the season of Lent. The early church believed that we needed to take time to prepare ourselves if we were going to be able to truly hear the extraordinary narrative of Holy Week and the acclamations of Easter’s resurrection. Without spending some time in discernment, this message of God could easily become lost to us. It’s easy to let our faith merely reflect our own desires instead of encouraging it to keep growing as a reflection of God in the world. This tendency is nothing new. Lent is modeled on the temptation of Jesus that we read about at the beginning of each of the Gospels. Ironically, it is the Spirit of God who leads Jesus into this wilderness space, and it is there that Jesus will be tempted by the devil for forty days and forty nights.

At the heart of the story, this adversary distorts the truth and twists reality so that Jesus might choose his own desires and half-truths over the way of God. We are tested in the same way. Do we choose temptation or to reflect the deep truth of God's ways? This is our everyday reality. Many in our world would rather embrace self-serving half-truths, or realities twisted to conform to our own certainties, instead of doing the hard work of humbling ourselves before the love and grace of God.

Lent is intended to be a profound journey of discernment: will we choose God, or will we choose our own framing of reality? God shows us the way to embrace a world where love and compassion for everyone is the guide; a world where the love of power or the mistreatment of others is never the way. That’s a radical proclamation. For the early church this was choosing the Empire or choosing Jesus… and that choice hasn’t changed.

Each Gospel lets this struggle unfold a little differently, but always we see Jesus and those around him struggling to fully understand both the cost and the riches of the way of God's selfless love. Journeys of discernment are always supposed to change us. Lent’s journey is no different.

Years ago, I was touched by Pope Francis’ invitation to reframe our Lenten Fast to reorient our lives toward God's ways. He focused not of giving something up, but or shifting our orientation:

Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries and have trust in God.
Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.
In this Lenten season, may you be filled with the transforming love of God,
Pastor Eric

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Peace United Church of Christ 6/22/18 Peace United Church of Christ 6/22/18

Prayer Chain

Did you know we send out a weekly "Prayer Chain" via email? To join, contact prayers@peace-ucc.org.

"Let your speech always be gracious, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6

"You, Lord, give true peace to those who depend on you, because they trust you. So, trust the Lord always, because he is our Rock forever."
Isaiah 26:3-4

Pastor's Corner: Summer Rhythms

The girls awoke this morning to an owl sitting in the tree outside their window. As I understand it, the sighting didn’t get them out of bed for the day, but it certainly began their day with an unexpected surprise and I hope a glimpse at wonder and beauty.

There’s a passage in Luke’s Gospel where Jesus is teaching his disciples about not worrying, trusting in God. He challenges them to “consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them” and “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these…” of course the punch line is that if God cares for ravens and lilies then God will care even more for us, we of little faith. And Jesus throws out the question that puts it all in perspective: can any of us by worrying add a single hour to our span of life? … if we can’t do that then why worry about the rest?

Lots of times our lives are go, go, go… and part of that chase is worrying that we’ll get it all done, or done well enough, or… so many other concerns… We get caught up in our agendas and perspectives and forget to slow down and discern God’s ways. Scripture often reminds us of the importance of being attentive on our journeys of faith. God is all around us, revealing God’s self to us in so many ways. It is never a surprise to me that so many people see God reflected in the natural world around us, in the seasons, in an unexpected owl, or the conversation that follows its encounter. Even as God is revealed to us, God is also always beyond our efforts to name or constrain the mystery of the divine. Waiting, watching, listening, discerning, become powerful spiritual disciplines along the way.

We are coming into summer when I always speak of the natural change of rhythm. For lots of people there are vacations planned, time outside unplanned, and just opportunities abounding to encounter the delight and wonder of God. I always pray that we can take the time to encounter God wherever this summer’s journeys may lead us, and then share the stories.

Of course our summer is always punctuated by hosting Family Promise, a Blood Drive, Summer Habitat trips, Vacation Bible School, Brat Fry, the Pignic (thank you to all who are keeping it going!), etc. There are always lots of opportunities to both be attentive to God and to get involved.

I pray that wherever you are that you keep your eyes open for reminders of God’s care for all of creation and, as Jesus teaches us, how that reflects God’s care for us. God is richly blessing us always, let’s do our part to notice.

Shalom,

Pastor Eric